"...Right. So, what's the plan for us?"
Negi had rushed off on his own, full of energy, to patrol the perimeter. His departure left the rest of us—Asuna, Setsuna, and myself—standing around awkwardly.
"Well, let's see," Setsuna mused. "Kagurazaka-san and I will stay close to the young lady's room to protect her, but… it would be a bit difficult for you to join us, Axel-san. Even if you were to patrol like Negi-sensei, you're still a student. If another teacher caught you, you wouldn't have an excuse. What should we do?"
"Hmm," Asuna added, tapping her chin. "Why don't we save Axel as our trump card? For now, it's probably best if you just head back to your room and rest."
"I suppose that's the only logical move," I conceded.
Setsuna was right. If I wandered around like Negi, I'd likely run into Nitta-sensei and get an earful. Besides, I couldn't exactly crash in Konoe's room. Following Asuna's lead was the path of least resistance.
"Fine. I'll head back. But before I go… let's exchange numbers. Call me if anything happens."
"Good idea," Setsuna agreed. "Please, let's do that."
"Oh, me too!" Asuna chimed in.
After swapping contact info, we went our separate ways. I turned on my heel and headed for my room.
"I say that, but there's absolutely nothing to do when you're alone," I muttered to the empty air once I'd returned.
Normally, this would be the time to chat with roommates, but I had the place to myself. It would have been better if I'd shared a room with Negi, man-to-man… then again, he was out on patrol anyway, so I would have ended up alone regardless.
I opened my Spatial Storage and pulled out a magazine I'd bought earlier to kill time.
Come to think of it, back in the world of SEED, ZAFT or some other enemy always seemed to attack the second I started reading a magazine Mu gave me…
Vrrr… Vrrr… Vrrr…
Maybe I shouldn't have tempted fate. My phone vibrated in my pocket, signaling an incoming call.
"Give me a break. Tell me it isn't…"
Fighting a rising sense of dread, I pressed the talk button.
"Axel! Get over here, quick!" Asuna's voice screamed through the receiver. "Konoka's been kidnapped by a monkey!"
"Damn it. I did trip a flag," I spat. "Got it. I'm on my way. Meet you outside?"
"Yeah, hurry!"
I was already in my street clothes rather than a yukata, just in case, so I didn't need time to prep. Well—actually, I did. I pulled up the inventory list in my mind and withdrew the Pactio card I shared with Chizuru. Slipping out of the room, I moved toward the entrance while avoiding the teachers, pressing the card against my forehead.
"Telepathy."
I whispered the command, feeling the connection click into place. I spoke directly into my mind.
(Chizuru, can you hear me? This is the telepathy function of the Pactio card. Find somewhere private, press your card to your head, and say 'Telepathy.')
It would have been faster to just call her, but several people in my group were still awake and sober. I didn't want to raise any unnecessary suspicion around Chizuru, and frankly, I wanted her to get used to handling the Pactio card for emergencies.
(Axel-kun? Can you hear me?)
(Yeah. We've got a situation. I'm heading out of the inn with Negi and the others.)
(Oh? In that case, I should—)
(No. Chizuru, I need you to stay there.)
(Axel-kun?) Her mental voice dropped, sounding disappointed and a bit sharp.
"Don't get the wrong idea," I countered internally. It wasn't that I thought she was useless in a fight. (Don't be mad. Remember what we talked about before the trip? The ones poking around are likely the Kansai Magic Association. I'm probably chasing the main force, but there's a chance they're a decoy. I need you to hold the line at the inn. Your Artifact is perfect for defense.)
(…I understand. Axel-kun… please don't get hurt.)
(Right.)
I cut the link and reached the inn's entrance, stepping out into the night air. Waiting there were Negi, Asuna, Setsuna—and for some reason, Kamo the ermine.
I blinked at them. "Hey. Don't tell me you were actually waiting for me?"
If Konoe had been snatched, every second counted. There was no reason for the whole squad to be idling here.
"We weren't!" Asuna snapped. "Negi was getting swarmed by a bunch of tiny monkeys!"
"Monkeys? Right… the same ones from the baths. I get it. Let's move."
I didn't waste time. I broke into a sprint toward the direction Setsuna was focused on.
"Hey! Don't start barking orders!" Asuna complained, though she was right on my heels. Negi and Setsuna followed suit.
"Did any of you see the kidnapper's face?" I asked as we ran.
"U-Uh, yeah," Negi stammered. "It was… a monkey."
"No, I mean the user. They're using monkey Shikigami, right? Did you see the person behind them?"
Negi seemed too flustered to give a straight answer, just muttering about monkeys. Setsuna stepped in to clarify.
"The practitioner was wearing something akin to a monkey costume. Negi-sensei's description isn't entirely inaccurate."
"...Come again?"
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read 70+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"